Holder for flat objects such as computer disks

Abstract

Holders for flat objects such as computer disks which can provide pages of a book which carries such objects, instruction for their use and etc. Each page is made of a single sheet of foldable material, preferably spunbonded olefin (such material being available from DuPont under their tradename "Tyvek"). The sheets are cut into the shape of rectangular center panels with bottom and side flaps extended therefrom; the side flaps extending from opposite side edges of the center panel and being off-set from each other. Since a single sheet is used it may be printed with visible indicia (e.g., the name of the manufacturer of and the computer program on the disks), prior to cutting, by conventional printing techniques in one pass through the press. The cut sheets (blanks) can then be manipulated in envelope manufacturing equipment which scores, applies adhesive lines and folds the flaps to provide a plurality of partially overlapping pockets, disposed one above the other.

We claim: 
     
       1. A holder for flat objects, such as computer disks in tiered relationship, which comprises a single sheet of material having a rectangular center panel with side, top and bottom edges, a first flap extending from one of the side edges and a second flap extending from the bottom edge, said first flap being disposed above said bottom edge of said center panel, said first flap being secured to the center panel to define a first pocket open at the top thereof with said center panel, said first pocket being spaced from said bottom edge, and said second flap being secured in partially overlapping relationship with said first flap to said center panel to define a second pocket below said first pocket and in partially overlapping, tiered relationship with said first pocket. 
     
     
       2. A holder for flat objects, such as computer disks, which comprises a single sheet of material having a rectangular center panel with side, top and bottom edges, a first flap extending from one of the side edges and a second flap extending from the bottom edge, said first flap being secured to the center panel to define a first pocket open at the top thereof with said center panel, and said second flap being secured in partially overlapping relationship with said first flap at said center panel to define a pocket below said first pocket and in partially overlapping, tiered relationship with said first pocket, a flange extending above said first flap along said one side edge of said center panel towards the top edge of said center panel, and said flange being secured to said center panel when said first pocket is defined. 
     
     
       3. The holder according claim 2 wherein said flange also extends below said first flap towards the bottom edge of said center panel. 
     
     
       4. The holder according to claim 3 wherein at least a portion of said flange which extends below said first flap is a gusset. 
     
     
       5. The holder according to claim 3 wherein said first and second flaps have widths approximately equal to the width of said center panel between the side edges thereof. 
     
     
       6. The holder according to claim 5 wherein said flange has a width much shorter than the width of side flap and provides a strengthened area along the side edge, said area having perforations for mounting said holder in a ring binder as a page therein. 
     
     
       7. A holder for flat objects, such as computer disks, which comprises a single sheet of material having a rectangular center panel with side, top and bottom edges, a first flap extending from one of the side edges and a second flap extending from the bottom edge, said first flap being secured to the center panel to define a first pocket open at the top thereof with said center panel, and said second flap being secured in partially overlapping relationship with said first flap at said center panel to define a pocket below said first pocket and in partially overlapping, tiered relationship with said first pocket, a flange extending above said first flap along said one side edge of said center panel towards the top edge of said center panel, said flange being secured to said center panel when said first pocket is defined, said flange also extending below said first flap towards the bottom edge of said center panel, another flange extending along the side edge of said center panel opposite from said one side edge, said other flange extending substantially from the bottom edge of said center panel a distance of about equal to the distance between the top edge of said first flap and said bottom edge of said center panel, said other flange being secured in overlapping relationship with said first flap and said second flap. 
     
     
       8. The holder according to claim 1 wherein said sheet consists of spunbonded olefin. 
     
     
       9. The holder according to claim 1 wherein lines of adhesive are disposed between said flaps and said center panel and between said flaps where they are in overlapping relationship, said lines being spaced inwardly of the edges of said flaps which are unattached to said center panel to define a border between said pockets and said one side edge of said center panel. 
     
     
       10. A multi-pocket holder for flat objects such as computer disks which provides at least three pockets in tiered relationship without the need for separate pocket forming patches, said holder comprising a single sheet of foldable material, said sheet having a rectangular center panel which defines at least in part the back of each of said pockets, said center panel having opposite side edges, a top edge and a bottom edge, first, second and third flaps, said flaps being generally rectangular and having top, bottom and side edges, said first flap extending from one of said side edges of said center panel, said second flap extending form the other of said side edges of said second panel, said first and second flaps being displaced from each other in the direction along said side edges of said center panel with top edge of said second flap, the bottom edge of said second flap being displaced upwardly from the bottom edge of said center panel, said third flap extending from the bottom edge of said center panel with the bottom edge of said third flap displaced from the bottom edge of said center panel a distance greater that the distance from the bottom edge of said center panel of the bottom edge of said second flap, said first flap being disposed in overlapping relationship with said center panel and being secured to said center panel to define the first pocket along the top edge of said first flap, said second flap being disposed in overlapping relationship with said first flap and said center panel to define a second pocket partially below said first pocket, and said third flap being disposed in overlapping relationship with said second flap and said center panel to define the third pocket partially below said second pocket, said pockets being stacked in tiered, shingle-like relationship. 
     
     
       11. The multi-pocket holder according to claim 10 further comprising a flange extending from the top edge of said second flap toward the top edge of said center panel along said one side edge of said center panel, said flange being of width less than the width of said flaps sufficient to form a border for receiving perforations along said one side edge of said center panel, said flange being secured in overlapping relationship with said first flap and said center panel. 
     
     
       12. The multi-pocket holder according to claim 11 further comprising a gusset extending from the lower edge of said second flap along said one side edge of said center panel and being secured in overlapping relationship with said center panel. 
     
     
       13. The multi-pocket page according to claim 10 further comprising a plurality of lines of adhesive between said center panel and said flaps and between said flaps, said lines being inwardly from the side edges of said flaps for securing said flaps and said panel to each other in permanently fixed relationship with said pockets open to form the tops thereof, and to form a border between at least one of the side edges of said center panel and said pockets. 
     
     
       14. The multi-pocket holder according to claim 11 wherein the width of said first flap is less than the width of said center flap and said flange overlaps said first flap along the side edge thereof which is spaced from said other side edge of said center panel. 
     
     
       15. The multi-pocket holder according to claim 14 wherein the widths of said second and third flaps are about equal to the width of center panel. 
     
     
       16. The multi-pocket holder according to claim 10 wherein said sheet consists of spunbonded olefin.